Apparatus for perforating checks.



N0. 63l,266. Patented Aug. l5, I899.-

J. D. BAUMANN.

APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING CHECKS.

(Application filed May 10, 1897.)

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

Wiifllaas 66 @M 24M.

m: NORNS PETERS co, mam-undo WASHINGTON, u. c.

No. 631,266. Patented Alig. l5, I899. J. n. BAUMANN.

APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING CHECKS.

(Application filed May 10, 1897.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

n "h 3.5 O 49 Z 34 34 5 45 sz 34 3/ g\ 31 3.5 37a 32 m: mums PETERS cu. Puoroumm mswmm'ou, n cy No. 63|,266. Patented Aug. I5, i899. J. D. BAUMANN.

APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING CHECKS.

(Application filed May 10, 1897.)

(N Mo em 3 Sheets-$heet 3,

Hllllllllllllllllllllllllll l I l I I H p 1: m mums cu momumn, WASNENGTON. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

JOHN D. llAUMAN-N, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO M. J. EBERT AND A. G. EBERT, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR PERFORATING CHECKS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 631,266, dated August I5, 1899 Application filed May10,189'7. Serial N- 635 ,890. No modelfi To all whom it 71mg concern;

Be it known that 1, JOHN D. BAUMANN, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in the county of Arapahoe and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for the Perforation of Checks; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will en able others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Myinvention relates to an improved apparatus for the perforation of bankchecks and all like or similar negotiable financial instruments. My object is to prevent the raising or changing of the amount called for by these instruments.

The invention belongs to that class of per forating or branding apparatus in which by the heating of the perforating devices the paper or fabric of the check is burned or 2 5 seared around the perforations. This partial burning or searing of the check by the per forating devices gives a peculiar appearance that is somewhat difficult to imitate and destroys the strength of the paper fabric to such 0 an extent that the paper in the immediate vicinity or surrounding the perforations will not support or hold the pulp or filling mate rial ordinarily employed in changing an in strument of this character. The perforating 5 devices are heated by the electric current through theinstru mentality of material forming such resistance to the current as to make this means of heating practicable.

To this end the invention consists of the features hereinafter described and claimed, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of my improved machine. Fig. 2 is a top or 5 plan View of the same. Fig. 3 is an under neath view of the apparatus. Fig. i illus trates one of the pivoted arms. Fig. 5 is a section taken through the base of the arm and the link with which it is pivotally connected. Fig. 6 shows a face and a sectional view of one of the cup-shaped disks carrying the resistance material. Fig. 7 shows similar views with a perforated plate in position. Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate the feed mechanism connected with the movable plate or carriage. 5 5 Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the locking-dogs and their connections. Fig. 11 is a top view of the same after removing the carriage.

. Similar reference characters indicating corresponding parts in these views, let the nu- 6o meral 5 designate the base of the apparatus, upon which are mounted a series of lugs 6, having ears 6. To these ears are pivoted,

as shown at 7, the arms 8, to whose upper extremities are attached the perforating-disks, whose construction will now be described in detail.

The casing 9 of each disk is cup-shaped and preferably composed of platinum. Within this casing is located the resistance-coil 10, 7o composed of German silver or other suitable material possessing sufficient resistance for the purpose. The convolutions of the coil 10 are insulated from each other by mica or other suitable insulating material capable of 7 5 withstanding a high degree of heat. This coil is also insulated from the casing 9 both at its bottom and sides. In the bottom of the casing is located a plate 4:, of mica. Outside of the resistance-coil, inclosing the cupshaped casing, is a plate 12, of mica, which insulates the resistance-coil from the platinum plate 13, carrying the perforating-pins let. I employ mica for insulation in the construction of the disk, for the reason that it is not appreciably affected by the degree of heat necessary to attain the result sought. On the plate 13, at the base of the pins, is placed a layer of asbestos 15 to prevent the plate 13 from burning the paper should it come in 0 contact with the check. The electric current is passed through the resistance-coil by means of conductors 1G and 17, connected with its respective extremities. The current to supply the perforating-disks may be taken 5 from any suitable source of electricity.

The conductors 18 and 19 (see Fig. 2) lead from the respective poles of the electric source to the binding-screws 20. and 21 of a switch 22. From the binding-post 20 the wire 17 :00 passes to the base of one arm 8, which it follows upward to the disk, which it enters and connects with one extremity of the resistance coil 10. The circuit-closing arm 23 of the switch is pivoted on a post 24, from which leads the conducting-wire 16 to another arm 8, which it follows upward to the disk, where it connects with the opposite extremity of the resistance-coil 10. These resistance-coils of all the disks are connected in series. The wires 16 and 17 are insulated from the arms 8 and from the casing 9 of the disk, whereby all possibility of a short circuit is prevented. The wires themselves should of course be thoroughly insulated to prevent any current from escaping to the metal parts of the machine, except such as are to be heated, as heretofore explained.

The circuit is closed by moving the switcharm 23 to engagement with the screw 21. The wires 16 and 17 between the arms 8 are connected by conductors 25. When the circuit is closed, the current passes simultaneously through the resistance-coils of all the disks and quickly heats said coils. This heat passes by conduction to the plate 13, and thence to the pins l-lt, which are set into said plate. In this manner the perforating-pins are heated sufficiently to perform the function heretofore statednamely, to sear the check around the perforations when they are passed therethrough.

The perforating-pins may be arranged on the disks to form any desired numerals or other characters, designs, or emblems. The disks make it practicable to form the numerals or other characters, designs, or emblems of a large size, if desired.

The arms 8 are normally supported in the upright position (see Fig. l) by means of coilsprings 26. One extremity of each of these springs is connected with an arm 8, while the other extremity is attached to a stationary rot 27, mounted on posts 28, attached to the base 5.

The arms 8 are actuated by a suitable arrangement of levers located within the base and fulcrumed thereon. These levers are actuated by the keys 29, movably mounted on the base, which is apertured to receive them. The keys pass through these apertures, and their lower extremities are connected with the levers.

Referring now to Fig. 3, let the numeral 30 designate the pivoted connection between the levers 31 and the lower extremities of the actuating-keys 29. These levers 31 are fulcrumed, as shown at 32, on depending pins or hangers 33, attached to the undersurface of the base-plate. The levers 31 are either directly or indirectly connected with the lower extremities of links 3i by pivot-pins The upper extremities of these links are 0011- nected with lugs or projections on the lower extremities of the. arms 8 by pivot-pins 3 whereby as the links 34: are drawn downward the arms 8 will move on the pivots 7 sufficiently to throw the perforating-disks downward and cause the pins it to pass through the check, which is held on the movable plate or carriage 37, the latter being actuated by suitable feed mechanism, as hereinafter described. This carriage-plate is covered with a pad or layer of asbestos 38 of sufficient thickness to prevent the pins 14- from becoming dulled or destroyed by contact with the plate. A plate 37 is placed on the car riage above the asbestos pad to hold the check in place. This plate is provided with openings to allow the perforating devices to engage the check.

At the sides of the machine two auxiliary levers 31 and 31 are employed, as shown in the drawings, for actuating the arms 8, located in front of the carriage-plate or adjacent the keyboard. The fnlcrums ofall the levers,both principal and auxiliary, are designated by the numeral The arms 8 on the opposite end of the machine from the keyboard are actuated through the instrumentality of levers 31, pivotally connected with the central levers 31, as shown at 30, just below the plate t0, which forms a part of the feed mechanism. When the keys 29 are pressed, these joints 39 are moved sufficiently to raise said plate for a purpose hereinafter described. The inner extremities of the lovers 31 also engage the plate 40 for the same purpose.

From the foregoing description it will be observed that whether the links 34: are connected directly with the levers 31 or indirectly therewith through the instrumentality of auxiliary levers they are drawn downward as the keys 29 are pressed, resulting in the movement of the arms 8, whereby the pins of the perforating-disks may be made to pierce a check placed on the feed-plate.

Since the perforating-disks are all arranged to strike at a common center or point, the plate 37 must be connected with suitable feed mechanism. This plate 37 is slidingly mounted on the base-plate and covers an opening therein. It is held in place by guides -l7, attached to the base and having flanges 17, which overlap the edge of the movable plate. To the under surface of this carriagedate is attached a depending rack 41, which is of the same length as the feed-plate and stands edgewise thereon. The construction of this rack is clearly shown in Figs. 8 and 9. The plate 37 is normally drawn in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 2 and 3 by a spring-actuated-winding drum 4:2, to which is attached one extremity of a cord l3, whose opposite extremity is connected with a lug on the plate, as shown at 44.. Between its extremities the cord engages intermediate guide-pulleys l5 and lo, suitably mounted on the base 5. The movement of the plate 37 is controlled bytwo dogs l8 and a9, which engage the rack iii. The dog 48 is pivoted to a depending lug 5 on the base. The dog at occupies a position below the dog 48 and is pivoted on the latter by means of a vertical pin 51. The dog 40 has a lug 49, which is engaged by a coil-spring 52, which has a tendency to move the dog horizontally on its vertical pivot. This dog 49 also has a vertical movement with the dog 48, upon which the dog 49 is pivoted, as before stated. The dog 48is rigidly connected with a vertical projecting arm 53, made fast to the plate 40. This plate, together with both dogs, is normally pressed downward and held in the lowest position of movement (see Fig. 9 and full lines in Fig. 8) by means of a leaf-spring 54, attached to the base-plate and acting directly on the dog 48. Both dogs 48 and 49 project into a longitudinal interior opening 55,form ed in the rack-plate 41, which is provided with notches, forming teeth 41 on both sides of the opening, forming a double rack. The aggregate width or thickness of the dogs 48 and 49 is a little greater than the distance between the teeth 41 on opposite sides of the double rack. Hence as the plate 40 is raised by the upward movement of a joint 39 the dog 48 will engage an upper tooth 41 before the dog 49 releases the corresponding lower tooth 41. Hence the rack will be locked against movement. The dog 49, however, as soon as it is released from its tooth 41 will move toward the right (see Figs. 8 and 9) under the infinence of its spring 52. Hence when the plate 40 is raised to the dotted-line position (see Fig. 8) the dogs 48 and 49 will occupy the respective positions shown in dotted lines in the same figurethat is to say, the dog 48 will engage the upper tooth 41 of the rack, while the dog 49 will be supported in the opening 55 to the right of the dog 48. \Vhen, however, the joint 39 falls to its normal position, the spring 54 will depress the dogs 48 and 49, releasing the dog 48 from the upper tooth of the rack. Assoon as this occurs the rack 37 is released andmoves in response to the cord and spring-actuated drum toward the left until the dog 49 engages the next lower tooth 41 toward the right. This operation occurs every time a key 29 is depressed and released. The distance of the plates movement for every action of this character is determined by the distance be ing the heat from the resistance-coil to the perforating-pins the current may be passed directly through the said pins, whose resistance may then be regulated accordingly.

The check while operated on by the machine may be held on the carriage-plate by the employment of any suitable devices.

The operation of the machine will be readily understood from the foregoing description. In using the apparatus shown in the drawings the check is first plaeedin position on themovable plate or carriage. The circuit in which the resistance-coils of the perforating-disks are located is then closed by shifting the circuit-closing arm 23 to contact with the binding-screw 21. The perforating-pins of all the disks will then be heated, and as many checks as desired may be perforated before breaking the circuit and allowing the disks to cool. Every time a key is pressed a perforating-disk acts on the check. As soon as the key is released the spring 26 returns the arm and disk to their upright or normal position. As the key is actuated a lever-joint 39, or the extremity of a lever 31, is pressed upward against the plate 40, thus actuating the feed mechanism heretofore described. After the plate 37 has reached its limit of movement in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 2 and 3 it may be reversed or movedin the opposite direction in the same manner as the platen of a type-writing machine.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. The combination with a suitable supporting-base, of a number of pivoted spring-held arms mounted on said base, perforating devices attached to said arms, each perforating device consisting of a casin g, a resistance-coil located therein, and a plate carrying perforating-pins, means for operating said arms, a movable plate mounted on the base, and suitable feed mechanism connected with said plate and actuated simultaneously with the operation of the perforating-arms.

2. The combination with a suitable supporting-base, of spring-held arms pivotally mount ed thereon, perforating devices attached to said arms, each consisting of a casing, a resistancecoil located therein, and a plate carrying perforating-pins, a circuit in which the resistance-coil is located, keys movably mounted on the base, levers connected with the keys, links connecting the pivoted arms with the levers, whereby the said arms are operated by the movement of the keys, and a movable plate or carriage mounted on the base for the support of the check or other instrument to be perforated.

3. The combination with a suitable supporting-base, of spring-held arms pivotally mounted thereon, perforating devices attached to said arms, each being composed of a casing, a resistance-coil located therein, and a plate carrying perforating-pins, a circuit in which the resistance-coil is located, keys movably mounted on the base, levers connected with the keys, links connecting the pivoted arms with the levers, whereby the said arms are operated by the movement of the keys, a movable plate or carriage mounted on the base for the support of the check or other instrument to be perforated, and suitable feed mechanism Gel,

connected with the rack and operated from the keys.

l. The combination with a suitable supporting-base, of spring-held arms pivotally mounted thereon, perforating devices attached to said arms, each device consisting of a casing, a resistance-coil located therein, and a plate carrying perforating-pins, a circuit in which the resistance-coil is located, keys movably mounted on the base, levers connected with the keys, links connecting the pivoted arms with the levers whereby said arms are operated by the movement of the keys, a movable plate or carriage mounted on the base for the support of the check or other instrument to EDITH Ilnrsworurn. 

